1st of two days at Redskins stadium, and hot lead-up to the renowned Alpine Valley shows - sometimes when Jer's on, he's on. This slipped through the cracks - I hadn't heard this show until now, so I was pleasantly surprised. Even if it's not 7/17 or 7/19, it's still up there in the top 10 for the year. Tight and consistent, the 1st set bookends and pseudo-encore are the only average points. Hornsby, already a fave of the band, sits-in on accordion for Sugaree and keys for Man Smart.

First Set. After warming up on Touch of Grey, Minglewood is a slammer, and check Brent on Half-step Mississippi! Tom Thumb's Blues starts out on Heineken and moves to harder stuff - the 2nd of 3 in '89 and the best. In Far From Me Brent goes over the edge, bitch! (problems at home?). The rest is above average too, sans the closer.

Second Set. Listening to Hornsby on Sugaree and Dewimenna, you can see why they liked playing with him. Ship of Fools has "first ship sinking down" and Jer continues beiing right on the money for Estimated (where Bobby really squeals). Eyes is uptempo (even after -2% pitch) with several distinct and great sections. Brent is not overly dramatic on Dear Mr. Fantasy and Jer is still having a great show. Jer starts the solo on Black Peter then decides he wants to use a different signal effect - unusual and too bad. Lovelight is fast and tight with Jer filling throughout behind Bobby's vox. Black Muddy is usually listed as an encore but they finish up without leaving the stage.

1st Set:  B
2nd Set: B-
Overall = 3¾ stars

Highlights:
Minglewood - good gods!
Mississippi Half Step - Brent shines, everybody on
I Need a Miracle>Dear Mr. Fantasy - one of Brent's best Fantasies
Lovelight - perfectly tight and Jer going off

SOURCES: The lack of a common SBD and wrongly-pitched AUDs are likely what has kept this show from discovery (the FOB Gardner AUD runs so fast that it sounds like chipmunks by the end). But the Boyd-McHugh.32130 sounds fantastic and 95% makes up for a SBD - once you repitch it at -2%. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues is on Postcards of the Hanging (pitched correctly). Does that mean this show is candidate for release?

I ended up on the turf during the 2nd set opener, "Sugaree". I came to only seeing blue light as a bearded hippie slapped my face, trying to revive me. It was hot that day and the hash was potent.
I miss Jerry.

This source sounds the best to me of the three AUD's available. This was a gorgeous day in the nation's capital (the following day was a torrential downpour in set 2) and we had a ball exploring the extensive vending scene and leisurely park beise the stadium with the river flowing by.

I love the variety in Set 1 with the Half Step in the three hole letting you know the band meant business. Follow that up with a Brent tune AND a Phil slot and everyone's in the mix! Throw in the always welcome Cassidy and FOTD and you've got a happy crowd of Heads rolling into setbreak.

We may have expected Bruce to join the band (he and the Range warmed up) at some point, but to open the set with Sugaree was an insprired, rare choice indeed. Women Are Smarter keeps everyone happy on a warm summer night under the stars, as does an Estimated > Eyes.

Post drums, Dear Mr. Fantasy is always a treat, and the "weather down here, so fine" line in Black Peter got a big cheer. These were great times - the "Downhill From Here" tour. Jerry and the band in fine form rolling out one strong show after another.

SO grateful I was able to see them when I did.